Joseph Harvey "Hop" Broussard

A graveside service will be held for Joseph Harvey "Hop" Broussard, age 83, on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Cemetery in Loreauville with Deacon Theo Landry officiating. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Joseph Harvey "Hop" Broussard was born into the rich French Acadian Culture that he was so proud of on May 3, 1932. The first of two sons born to Rose and Solonge Broussard. His certificate of Baptism from St. Joseph Church is beautifully hand-lettered in French. He grew up on a country road, Star Route A, Box 25, amongst Sugar Cane fields, farm animals, family speaking solely Cajun French, and hard work. To many that seems perfectly normal and nothing to really take note of, but to a small city boy it was magical and special. It's hard to believe now that he was born into a world without indoor plumbing or electricity. At his younger brother, Mark Davy Broussard's funeral, he told the story of when they would haul water by hand to the troughs for the animals and his uncle would pay them a nickel. Harvey would go on to graduate as one of 18 from Loreauville High School, lettering in Football, Basketball, and Boxing. He would have a brief stint with Pacific Railroad as a telegraph operator before enlisting with the United States Army. As a handsome soldier, he appeared in the local newspaper donning the U.S. Army dress kakis. August 3, 1953, a Private at Ford Hood Texas. That chapter would end with an Honorable discharge in May of '55. He persevered through tight times to get a Bachelor's degree from USL. Harvey enjoyed a career with Fenstermaker, a survey and mapping company that was established in New Iberia, working almost exclusively for oil and gas clients. He would work diligently to become an accomplished, and prolific, self-taught artist. His early work, like many classic artists, included reproductions of famous works. He went on exploring architectural subjects from New Orleans and Paris. He documented family members and their homes in oils and acrylics. In later years he demonstrated artistic versatility as he painted less and began wood working more. Harvey set up a professional woodworking shop in his garage. From there he turned out beautiful, complex and intricate bowls and vases. His work appeared in many local galleries and many pieces were sold from there and at art fairs making their way into the homes of many southern Louisiana families. If you were with him for more than five minutes he would probably say something in French, tell you a story about days gone by, or talk about one of his vacations to an exotic location. His leisure travel took him to places like Poland, Western Europe, Asia and even Machu Pechu, Peru. One of my personal favorite stories, among the many, were captured in a painting where he portrayed himself in a red USL uniform making a one-hand, touchdown, game-winning catch against LSU. And the announcer would come across the stadium P.A. shouting "touchdown – Harvey Broussard"! His athletic endeavors continued throughout his life. There were always bowling trophies on the shelf for being on the league championship team. There were always golf clubs in the garage but no trophies for that. Needless to say he was better at bowling than golf but that never stopped him and my dad from having fun on the golf course. Harvey was a lifetime member of the "Famille Beausoleil Association". He received several certificates of accommodation for his contributions to the preservation and celebration of our Cajun Heritage. In that vein he did extensive work documenting his family tree linking him to the first "Broussard" that would settle here in Acadiana. He demonstrated loyalty and devotion to family in his care of his parents throughout their lives. I will never forget the big smile, thumbs up under the imaginary suspenders stretching them as he greeted me with a big "Bonjure" or "What do you say Governor"?! When our visit was through the favorite salutation would be "Well I'm glad you got to see me". His Faith in God and Trust in Jesus to provide a way for him to salvation were real. He would never marry nor have children so as his "next of kin", nephew Mark Broussard, Jr., I would like to thank you for being here and honoring the memory and life of my "Uncle Hop" – Joseph Harvey Broussard. You may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org. David Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, (337) 229-8338, is handling the funeral arrangements.